Spot The Difference

01 November 2010 06:57

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Hibs improved performance could be down to the new manager syndrome but they still lost the game. John Rankin is prepared to put his hand up should Hibs be awarded another penalty kick despite his miss against Dundee United. Rankin's 65th-minute effort was saved by Dusan Pernis before David Goodwillie took advantage of the day's one error by Hibs' much-improved defence to prod in an 87th-minute winner and earn United three points. But despite his miss on Saturday, Rankin will put himself forward at Easter Road next Sunday against Hearts if a spot kick is awarded in Hibs' favour. The midfielder said: "I'll volunteer. I'll not shirk away from it. If nobody else is wanting to take it I'll take it no bother. If anybody else puts their hand up they're more than welcome to take it. Derek (Riordan), usually on the penalties has missed one or two, so he said if anybody wants it you can have it. I stepped forward and that's me missed now so if anybody else wants to take it they're more than welcome. I was certain I was going to score, so confident I put everything on it. But I made the biggest mistake of all, stepped up and changed my mind. I blew our best chance." Hibs, who have now won just two of 13 games this season, showed a marked improvement from the previous week. Saturday's game marked the end of Colin Calderwood's first full week as manager, with Hibs punished for the one defensive mistake they made as indecision allowed Goodwillie to go around goalkeeper Mark Brown and prod in for his seventh goal in nine games. Rankin anticipates further improvement leading up to the capital clash with Hearts. He said: "The gaffer's been in a full week this week, gave his instructions and I felt we followed that down to a T. You'd like to go into the derby on the back of a victory but the Edinburgh derby's the Edinburgh derby, form is out the window. We need to get our heads lifted, get the dressing room going again and as of Monday we're back to work." Goodwillie's winner came courtesy of a long ball from Danny Swanson. The midfielder had previously played only four minutes of league action this season - against Hearts in August - due to sciatica in his back. Although he only came on in the 72nd minute, Swanson returned to the bench in stoppage time with United seeking to preserve their 1-0 lead. Manager Peter Houston said Swanson had suffered no further injury, he was merely a bit short of full fitness. The United boss said: "There's nothing wrong with his back. He had nothing in his legs, he couldn't move. We've got a bounce game on Monday, we'll probably try to get him half an hour of that game. I'm delighted to see him back in a tangerine jersey again." Houston anticipates Hibs will move on from the latest setback. He said: "I think you saw a different Hibs team. I think Hibs did all right. When Colin Calderwood works more with his players I think he'll do quite well." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net